Are most QR codes just used to encode URLs?

1. Are QR codes just URLs?
2. What encoding do QR codes use?
3. Are QR codes better than links?

Are QR codes just URLs?

The QR code just contains the address of a website. By scanning the code, the website can be access by the user without the hassle of manually entering the address (URL). This works because the QR reader recognizes the http(s):// protocol prefix and then interprets the text as a website address / URL.

What encoding do QR codes use?

QR codes use four standardized encoding modes (numeric, alphanumeric, byte/binary, and kanji) to store data efficiently; extensions may also be used.

Are QR codes better than links?

QR codes are machine readable and should, in theory, improve data quality. They allow you to track the sources or media that a has customer responded through better than a customised URL (e.g. www.example.com/april-promo). In our experience customised URLs are often abbreviated to just the domain name.